Members of the European parliament approved a plan that would allow members of the European Union to ban genetically engineered crops within their borders even if the EU approves them, “raising the chance their use will remain limited on the continent,” said Reuters. Britain favors the crops but there is strong opposition in France and Germany. The vote by lawmakers on Tuesday, to allow EU members to bar GE crops on environmental grounds, kicks off negotiations over a legal text, said Reuters.
The European Commission, the administrative body, said the law should be in place by next year, assuming it receives final approval by the European parliament and EU members, said Reuters. To date, only two GE crops have been approved by EU authorities; one of them was blocked by court. So, the only GE crop available for cultivation in Europe is a Monsanto corn variety.